Marion family to represent U.S. in Youth Paso Fino World Cup

Yean Torres, 13, puts a saddle on La Flor before practice at La Cuarta Jota Farm Saturday June 14, 2014 in Summerfield, Fla. The group will participate in the Paso Fino Youth Equitation World Cup in Pereira, Colombia in July.

Amy L. Stuart/Special to the Ocala Star-Banner

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Published: Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 9:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 9:26 p.m.

For the extended Suarez clan of Marion County, the Paso Fino is king.

Brothers Javier, Jorge and Jaime Suarez, Paso Fino breeders and trainers, have made their work a family affair. Their children have been raised atop the gentle, smooth-gaited animals.

The dedication to the breed is total and in July, Javier and seven Suarez children will travel to Colombia for the 10th Youth Paso Fino World Cup.

Javier is one of the coaches for Team USA, which is made up of nearly 40 young people from across the United States. In addition to the seven Suarez children, two others trained by Javier are also team members.

Despite making up more than a quarter of the team, Suarez said Team USA has a well-rounded team with participants as far away as California.

Still, he admits having nine from Marion County, including his 6-year-old daughter Manuela, makes him proud.

“They are family and the two others are like family, so I can treat them different than regular students,” said Javier, who came to Ocala from Puerto Rico about 30 years ago with his parents.

Jaime Suarez, 18, said his uncle's bark is worse than his bite.

“He's a good coach,” Jaime Suarez said. “He doesn't yell as much as my dad.”

The team will travel to Pereira, Colombia, and will compete against teams from other countries including, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and a combined squad of Switzerland and Germany.

The competition is open to riders ages 4 to 24 and is judged on equitation, which puts emphasis on style, presentation and harmony between the horse and rider. Each participant rides a fixed pattern.

Although winning is important, many of the competitors have participated most of their lives and have formed friendships with participants from other countries.

“You get to see your friends and talk about what you've been doing. There are some people you've known for years,” Janine Suarez said.

This year, Janine, Julieta and Julia Suarez will compete in the same division. “I'm a little nervous, but I'm also nervous for them. This is the first time we are in the same

division,” Julieta Suarez, 17, said.

Javier Suarez, who owns La Quarta Jota farm near Summerfield, said the team also has to deal

with competing on a horse they are not familiar with.

“They only get a short time to practice with the horses before the competition. It makes it harder,” he said.

<p>For the extended Suarez clan of Marion County, the Paso Fino is king.</p><p>Brothers Javier, Jorge and Jaime Suarez, Paso Fino breeders and trainers, have made their work a family affair. Their children have been raised atop the gentle, smooth-gaited animals.</p><p>The dedication to the breed is total and in July, Javier and seven Suarez children will travel to Colombia for the 10th Youth Paso Fino World Cup.</p><p>Javier is one of the coaches for Team USA, which is made up of nearly 40 young people from across the United States. In addition to the seven Suarez children, two others trained by Javier are also team members.</p><p>Despite making up more than a quarter of the team, Suarez said Team USA has a well-rounded team with participants as far away as California.</p><p>Still, he admits having nine from Marion County, including his 6-year-old daughter Manuela, makes him proud.</p><p>“They are family and the two others are like family, so I can treat them different than regular students,” said Javier, who came to Ocala from Puerto Rico about 30 years ago with his parents.</p><p>Jaime Suarez, 18, said his uncle's bark is worse than his bite.</p><p>“He's a good coach,” Jaime Suarez said. “He doesn't yell as much as my dad.”</p><p>The team will travel to Pereira, Colombia, and will compete against teams from other countries including, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and a combined squad of Switzerland and Germany.</p><p>The competition is open to riders ages 4 to 24 and is judged on equitation, which puts emphasis on style, presentation and harmony between the horse and rider. Each participant rides a fixed pattern.</p><p>Although winning is important, many of the competitors have participated most of their lives and have formed friendships with participants from other countries.</p><p>“You get to see your friends and talk about what you've been doing. There are some people you've known for years,” Janine Suarez said.</p><p>This year, Janine, Julieta and Julia Suarez will compete in the same division. “I'm a little nervous, but I'm also nervous for them. This is the first time we are in the same</p><p>division,” Julieta Suarez, 17, said.</p><p>Javier Suarez, who owns La Quarta Jota farm near Summerfield, said the team also has to deal</p><p>with competing on a horse they are not familiar with.</p><p>“They only get a short time to practice with the horses before the competition. It makes it harder,” he said.</p><p>The Marion County delegation of Team USA includes, Diego Figueroa, Jaimito Suarez, Janine Suarez, Julia Suarez, Julieta Suarez, Jorge Suarez, Jorgianna Suarez, Manuela Suarez and Yean Luis Torres.</p>